Panam Sports pledges to build swimming pool in BVI
The Pan American Sports Organization (Panam Sports) has indicated that it would assist to fund the construction of a pool for the BVI Swimming Federation.
President of the BVI Olympic Committee, Ephraim Penn, made that announcement on Monday.
Swimming is the only sport that has not returned to the territory since the September 2017 hurricanes because of extensive damage to Prospect Reef Resort which housed the swimming pool.
Penn said he has had discussions with the local swimming federation but they are frustrated because they have lost their staple and must fight twice as hard to get anything done.
“It is very difficult for them, and it is very difficult for us. But we have a little ray of hope. At our last meeting in Miami with Panam Sports, they are interested in building a pool and giving us funding for a pool, once we find the area,” Penn said.
“Panam sports, they see it as a safety more so than just a sport. We are surrounded by water and the more persons we have that can swim; it is better for us. So, they see it, especially in the islands, as investments they want to make. They see it as vital to the community and they have really embraced that,” the Olympic Committee President said.
Meanwhile, Minister for Sports Sharie de Castro was asked for an update regarding the swimming pool that was expected to be built on Virgin Gorda. During parliament’s Standing Finance Committee deliberations last year, the Director for the Virgin Islands Recreation Trust said they were planning to construct a pool on Virgin Gorda by 2023.
“I have a meeting coming up with the recreation trust. Over the past month, the focus has been on education, given we have graduation and the end-of-year examination and promotions, but we have some meetings scheduled for the statutory boards and committees for the rest of the month. So, I will be able to give you an update on that on whether they are on track or not and what additional opportunities exist,” de Castro said.
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“the Director for the Virgin Islands Recreation Trust said they were planning to construct a pool on Virgin Gorda by 2023….”
Swimming competitions are often held at NIGHT. Therefore build a competitive outdoor swimming pool on Tortola and VG with lights and seating for spectators.
There is a 25 m pool in Virgin Gorda. Right next to Brigado Flax. It’s 90% completed with private funds. The idea was that the govt would fund the last 10%. That was about 15+ years ago. Still waiting (in vain) for that last 10%.
Yes. Ralph was great at making promises. Keeping them, not so much.
Looks more like 50% completed, not 90%
Anything that was 90% completed 15 years ago is not going to be 50% completed today.
Does an organization pledge to build a pool, when we have money and an existing pool in this country? This is outright ridiculous, invest in the future of the BVI, and stop wasting money on other stuff but we would allow an organization to build something we can afford.
Where is the existing PUBLIC POOL?!! Your way of thinking is called- looking a gift ? in the mouth!!!
The govt own prospect reef has an Olympic size swimming pool, but they have neglected it for years. The commentator is right, our elected officials keep side-stepping on these type if issues. Spend carelessly on consultants now look who has to come and be behind youth improvement.
Humiliating and disgusting on all levels.
But das how the ting goes with descendants brands of slaves who are compelled to confirm,conform and perpetuate their less and lesser than world status as cant do for themselves shameless neglectful non providers for their children .They are globally,happy beggars and recipients of handouts.
Wow!!? With people like you living among us the entire BVI is in trouble.. Unbelievable mindset!
Why don’t you build it then!!! Idiot
A country with so much wealth not able to build their own swimming pool due to years of squandering. How embarrassing!
We’ve had a pool for a long time I VG. The goats are there all the time.
With the amount of money the BVI squanders, a pool can be built. Someone will build it and it will be ill-managed and will soon deteriorate like other donated buildings.
If only such and full government and societal support were available in my youth, the BVI would have many gold medals in at least three disciplines in that sport. Simply put, i was a natural phenom on top or underneath the water.
This is long over due. Hope some talent, good training and competent coaching come along to complement such a facility.
Good luck.
They need to build it in the high school. Make every child coming through learn to swim as part of their curriculum.
One generation, big change to society. Tourism businesses, all water opportunities will open up to BVIslanders like never before.
Make it happen.
Yes – we need a pool for the youth, BUT Please don’t START another pool project! Why is it that the BVI can not finish anything!? This is so much nonsense dribble to report.
We need to fix this broken government (or let the UK fix it for us). The more “projects & proposals” that get approved by this interim non-elected government, the more stealing that is going to go on.
The Virgin Gorda Pool was just another example of funds being raised and someone greedy taking the money and leaving the people hanging with nothing to show for it. I donated money. I know. Ask some people in Virgin Gorda what when down. They will tell you. If we had a real government – someone probably would have gone to jail (or maybe there would be a pool there now).
Fixing This government should be the priority before more of this nonsense.